METHOD OF FASTENING A PANEL

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of fastening panels to a substrate, and a fastener, accordingly there is a method of fastening a panel to a substrate, comprising the steps of i. providing on the substrate a first projection, ii. attaching a fastener which comprises an elongate projection, to said first projection, wherein said fastener comprises an elongate projection, wherein the elongate projection is longer than said first projection, iii. attaching a panel onto said elongate projection,

Claims

1. A method of fastening a panel to a substrate, the substrate having a first projection, the method comprising: attaching a fastener to said first projection, wherein said fastener comprises an elongate projection, and wherein the elongate projection is longer than said first projection; and attaching a panel onto said elongate projection.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fastener further comprises a self-locking pin washer, which engages with the first projection.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the self-locking pin washer is a resistance fit on the first projection.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elongate projection comprises a barb, is pronged, has a high friction surface, to retain said panel.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the panel is manufactured from a material selected from fibres, foamed polymers, foamed monomers, gels, natural cellulose bundles, loose filled panels, and composite laminates.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the panel is a thermal barrier panel.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elongate projection is attached to the fastener by welding, adhesive, or resistance fit.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substrate forms part of a building, vessel or craft.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elongate projection is longer than the thickness of said panel.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising a cap located on an end of the elongate projection that extends through the thickness of the panel.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first projection extends through the self-locking pin washer, to allow the first projection and elongate projection to fasten said panel.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elongate projection is adjacent to the first projection.

13. A fastener suitable for attaching panels to a building, vessel or craft, wherein said fastener comprises a self-locking pin washer and mounted thereon at least one elongate projection, wherein said self-locking pin washer is arranged to be a resistance fit to a first projection mounted on said building, vessel or craft.

14. A vessel or craft comprising: the fastener according to claim 13, and a panel located on said at least one elongate projection, wherein the fastener is resistance fit fastened to a first projection mounted on the vessel or craft.

15. The fastener according to claim 14, wherein the first projection mounted on the vessel or craft extends through the pin washer to allow the first projection and elongate projection to fasten to said panel.

16. The fastener according to claim 14, wherein the first projection is less than 20 mm long.

17. The fastener according to claim 14, wherein the elongate projection extends through said panel, the fastener further comprising a cap on the end of the elongate projection.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to attaching the fastener to said first projection, the method further comprises: providing said first projection on the substrate.

19. A fastener suitable comprising a self-locking pin washer and at least one elongate projection mounted on said self-locking pin washer, wherein said self-locking pin washer is arranged to be a resistance fit to a first projection mounted on a structure or vehicle.

20. A structure or vehicle comprising: the fastener according to claim 19, and a panel located on said at least one elongate projection, wherein the fastener is resistance fit fastened to a first projection mounted on the structure or vehicle, and wherein the at least one elongate projection is longer than said first projection mounted on the structure or vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a prior art method of fixing a panel to a substrate

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a method of fixing a panel to a substrate

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a fastener

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Turning to FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic of a prior art process for fixing a panel 4 to a substrate 2 to provide a vessel, craft or building with a paneled surface 1. Typically the substrate 2 comprises a plurality of pins 3a which may be welded substantially perpendicular to the surface. To avoid snagging or injury, a hammer 5 is usually used to bend the pin 3b to a positon which is more parallel to the substrate 2. A period of time may elapse before the pin 3c is re-straightened, the bending over and re-straightening process may weaken the pin 3c.

[0023] A panel 4 may then be pushed onto the pin 3c, and finally retained in place by a cap 6

[0024] Turning to FIG. 2 there is provided an improved method of fixing a panel 14 onto a substrate 12 to provide a vessel, craft of building with a paneled surface 11.

[0025] The substrate 12 is provided with a first projection pin 13, which may be of nominal length, typically less than 20 mm, such that it significantly reduces the risk of snagging or injury to people walking past. Further the first projection pin 13 may have a blunt end, as it does not need to readily penetrate into the panel 14.

[0026] At a time when the panel is to be fitted, a fastener 19, which comprises a self-locking pin washer 17 with an elongate projection pin 18 attached thereto, is tapped into place with a hammer 15 to locate the self-locking pin washer part onto the first projection 13. Once all of the fasteners 19 are in place, the panel 14 may be located over the elongate projection pin 18 and first projection pin to provide a paneled surface. Finally the panel 14 may be retained in place by a cap 16. The cap may further prevent injury or snagging, on the installed panel.